Tongariro National Park

Introduction

Tongariro is New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage area. This status recognises the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features.

Climbing

There are a range of fantastic mountaineering and climbing opportunities in the park in all seasons. Winter climbing to the mountain summits is suitable for experienced hikers and climbers only. There are also many rock-climbing opportunities in the summer season.

Heritage sightseeing

Visit these heritage sites in the park and experience history right where it happened:

Skiing

Each ski field is approximately 550 ha in size, and include a wide range of terrain types suitable for beginner to advance skiers and snowboarders. There is also a smaller ski field on the eastern side of the mountain called Tukino. Visit the Tukino website.

Special events

Mahi Aroha summer programme

What: A series of guided trips in and around the Tongariro National Park region. The summer programme is a unique and special part of the Tongariro National Park, from its beginnings in the 1960s to the present day.

The trips allow you to learn more indepth information about parts of the region, or visit a new place you would not otherwise have gone to, meet like-minded people who love the area, and meet some of the DOC staff and dedicated volunteers who love to share their knowledge.

When: December - January

Tussock Traverse

What: A selection of running and walking races of different lengths, from Tukino mountain road on the eastern side of Ruapehu, along a section of the Tongariro Northern Circuit Great Walk, finishing at the Chateau hotel in Whakapapa Village.